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Kappa Chooses Orlando for 2017 Conclave

Conventions large and small may be routine events in Orlando, but next year, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s 83rd Grand Chapter Meeting will bring a lot more to Central Florida than thousands of tourists – namely, fraternity members, their families and invited guests.

The fraternity’s biannual convention (conclave) will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek from July 18-22, 2017. A strong representation of Kappa’s 150,000-plus membership always attends, and that factor alone guarantees a positive economic effect locally. However, this conclave will go further in making a mark on Orlando. How? A public service project is a key agenda item. Why? The fraternity intends to move the needle upward in improving the local community.

“We strongly believe it’s important to provide a service to help fulfill a community need in every city where we have our conclave,” explains Tony Foster, co-chairman of the fraternity’s local convention planning team. “And for 2017, the project will align well with the conclave’s theme: Leave a Legacy … Build a Future. Our plan is to ensure that Kappa Alpha Psi leaves its stamp on Orlando by creating or enhancing a project or program that will have long-lasting value.”

The project chosen will be revealed on July 15 when the fraternity formally announces its choice of Orlando for its 83rd national convention. The brief event, which will be open to news media and the public, will be held at the Lake Eola Amphitheater at 11:30 a.m. Public officials representing local and state government, corporate partners and Kappa Alpha Psi leaders, will give remarks.

“The July 15 event will go far beyond setting the stage for a dynamic roster of activities leading to our conclave,” said Erick Wicker, who co-chairs the planning team with Foster. “It will give us great opportunity to share information about local Kappa Alpha Psi initiatives that benefit youth and families and how others can join us in those efforts. Our dedication to community service is never-ending, and we welcome new partners and supporters in helping us make a difference.”

About Kappa Alpha Psi

Founded in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. has more than 150,000 members worldwide and 700-plus college and alumni chapters. Local chapters include Orlando Alumni, established in 1947, and Winter Park Alumni, in 1992. The undergraduate Lambda Omega Chapter at the University of Central Florida received its charter in 1983.

Nationally, the fraternity is highly regarded for wide variety of programs that benefit the communities of its members. The services aid children, families and others through the provision of economic services, youth guidance and merit, need-based college scholarships and much more.

Initiatives among the Central Florida chapters have ranged from Orlando Alumni’s free money management/debt eliminator workshops to Winter Park Alumni’s computer camp for middle and high school students. Both chapters annually award scholarships to college-bound seniors and sponsor Kappa League youth mentorship programs as part of the fraternity’s national Guide Right initiative.

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About Us

Kappa Alpha Psi , a college Fraternity, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders Elder Watson Diggs; John Milton Lee; Byron Kenneth Armstrong; Guy Levis Grant; Ezra Dee Alexander; Henry Tourner Asher; Marcus Peter Blakemore; Paul Waymond Caine; Edward Giles Irvin and George Wesley Edmonds..